ariondas/full_text_dataset · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 1.91k
by encrusting them with a black varnish of soot. On the sides of the
apartment hung implements of war and of the chase, and there were at
each corner folding doors, which gave access to other parts of the
extensive building.

The other appointments of the mansion partook of the rude simplicity
of the Saxon period, which Cedric piqued himself upon maintaining.
The floor was composed of earth mixed with lime, trodden into a hard
substance, such as is often employed in flooring our modern barns. For
about one quarter of the length of the apartment, the floor was raised
by a step, and this space, which was called the dais, was occupied only
by the principal members of the family, and visitors of distinction.
For this purpose, a table richly covered with scarlet cloth was placed
transversely across the platform, from the middle of which ran the
longer and lower board, at which the domestics and inferior persons fed,
down towards the bottom of the hall. The whole resembled the form of the
letter T, or some of those ancient dinner-tables, which, arranged on the
same principles, may be still seen in the antique Colleges of Oxford or
Cambridge. Massive chairs and settles of carved oak were placed upon the
dais, and over these seats and the more elevated table was fastened a
canopy of cloth, which served in some degree to protect the dignitaries
who occupied that distinguished station from the weather, and
especially from the rain, which in some places found its way through the
ill-constructed roof.

The walls of this upper end of the hall, as far as the dais extended,
were covered with hangings or curtains, and upon the floor there was a
carpet, both of which were adorned with some attempts at tapestry, or
embroidery, executed with brilliant or rather gaudy colouring. Over the
lower range of table, the roof, as we have noticed, had no covering;
the rough plastered walls were left bare, and the rude earthen floor was
uncarpeted; the board was uncovered by a cloth, and rude massive benches
supplied the place of chairs.

In the centre of the upper table, were placed two chairs more elevated
than the rest, for the master and mistress of the family, who presided
over the scene of hospitality, and from doing so derived their Saxon
title of honour, which signifies "the Dividers of Bread."

To each of these chairs was added a footstool, curiously carved and
inlaid with ivory, which mark of distinction was peculiar to them. One
of these seats was at present occupied by Cedric the Saxon, who, though
but in rank a thane, or, as the Normans called him, a Franklin, felt, at
the delay of his evening meal, an irritable impatience, which might have
become an alderman, whether of ancient or of modern times.

It appeared, indeed, from the countenance of this proprietor, that he
was of a frank, but hasty and choleric temper. He was not above the
middle stature, but broad-shouldered, long-armed, and powerfully made,
like one accustomed to endure the fatigue of war or of the chase; his
face was broad, with large blue eyes, open and frank features, fine
teeth, and a well formed head, altogether expressive of that sort of
good-humour which often lodges with a sudden and hasty temper. Pride and
jealousy there was in his eye, for his life had been spent in asserting
rights which were constantly liable to invasion; and the prompt, fiery,
and resolute disposition of the man, had been kept constantly upon the
alert by the circumstances of his situation. His long yellow hair was
equally divided on the top of his head and upon his brow, and combed
down on each side to the length of his shoulders; it had but little
tendency to grey, although Cedric was approaching to his sixtieth year.

His dress was a tunic of forest green, furred at the throat and cuffs
with what was called minever; a kind of fur inferior in quality to
ermine, and formed, it is believed, of the skin of the grey squirrel.
This doublet hung unbuttoned over a close dress of scarlet which sat
tight to his body; he had breeches of the same, but they did not reach
below the lower part of the thigh, leaving the knee exposed. His
feet had sandals of the same fashion with the peasants, but of finer
materials, and secured in the front with golden clasps. He had bracelets
of gold upon his arms, and a broad collar of the same precious metal
around his neck. About his waist he wore a richly-studded belt, in
which was stuck a short straight two-edged sword, with a sharp point, so
disposed as to hang almost perpendicularly by his side. Behind his seat
was hung a scarlet cloth cloak lined with fur, and a cap of the same
materials richly embroidered, which completed the dress of the opulent
landholder when he chose to go forth. A short boar-spear, with a broad
and bright steel head, also reclined against the back of his chair,
which served him, when he walked abroad, for the purposes of a staff or
of a weapon, as chance might require.

Several domestics, whose dress held various proportions betwixt the
richness of their master's, and the coarse and simple attire of Gurth
the swine-herd, watched the looks and waited the commands of the Saxon
dignitary. Two or three servants of a superior order stood behind their
master upon the dais; the rest occupied the lower part of the hall.
Other attendants there were of a different description; two or three
large and shaggy greyhounds, such as were then employed in hunting the
stag and wolf; as many slow-hounds of a large bony breed, with thick
necks, large heads, and long ears; and one or two of the smaller dogs,
now called terriers, which waited with impatience the arrival of the
supper; but, with the sagacious knowledge of physiognomy peculiar to
their race, forbore to intrude upon the moody silence of their master,
apprehensive probably of a small white truncheon which lay by Cedric's
trencher, for the purpose of repelling the advances of his four-legged
dependants. One grisly old wolf-dog alone, with the liberty of an
indulged favourite, had planted himself close by the chair of state, and
occasionally ventured to solicit notice by putting his large hairy head
upon his master's knee, or pushing his nose into his hand. Even he was
repelled by the stern command, "Down, Balder, down! I am not in the
humour for foolery."

by encrusting them with a black varnish of soot. On the sides of the

apartment hung implements of war and of the chase, and there were at

each corner folding doors, which gave access to other parts of the

extensive building.

The other appointments of the mansion partook of the rude simplicity

of the Saxon period, which Cedric piqued himself upon maintaining.

The floor was composed of earth mixed with lime, trodden into a hard

substance, such as is often employed in flooring our modern barns. For

about one quarter of the length of the apartment, the floor was raised

by a step, and this space, which was called the dais, was occupied only

by the principal members of the family, and visitors of distinction.

For this purpose, a table richly covered with scarlet cloth was placed

transversely across the platform, from the middle of which ran the

longer and lower board, at which the domestics and inferior persons fed,

down towards the bottom of the hall. The whole resembled the form of the

letter T, or some of those ancient dinner-tables, which, arranged on the

same principles, may be still seen in the antique Colleges of Oxford or

Cambridge. Massive chairs and settles of carved oak were placed upon the

dais, and over these seats and the more elevated table was fastened a

canopy of cloth, which served in some degree to protect the dignitaries

who occupied that distinguished station from the weather, and

especially from the rain, which in some places found its way through the

ill-constructed roof.

The walls of this upper end of the hall, as far as the dais extended,

were covered with hangings or curtains, and upon the floor there was a

carpet, both of which were adorned with some attempts at tapestry, or

embroidery, executed with brilliant or rather gaudy colouring. Over the

lower range of table, the roof, as we have noticed, had no covering;

the rough plastered walls were left bare, and the rude earthen floor was

uncarpeted; the board was uncovered by a cloth, and rude massive benches

supplied the place of chairs.

In the centre of the upper table, were placed two chairs more elevated

than the rest, for the master and mistress of the family, who presided

over the scene of hospitality, and from doing so derived their Saxon

title of honour, which signifies "the Dividers of Bread."

To each of these chairs was added a footstool, curiously carved and

inlaid with ivory, which mark of distinction was peculiar to them. One

of these seats was at present occupied by Cedric the Saxon, who, though

but in rank a thane, or, as the Normans called him, a Franklin, felt, at

the delay of his evening meal, an irritable impatience, which might have

become an alderman, whether of ancient or of modern times.

It appeared, indeed, from the countenance of this proprietor, that he

was of a frank, but hasty and choleric temper. He was not above the

middle stature, but broad-shouldered, long-armed, and powerfully made,

like one accustomed to endure the fatigue of war or of the chase; his

face was broad, with large blue eyes, open and frank features, fine

teeth, and a well formed head, altogether expressive of that sort of

good-humour which often lodges with a sudden and hasty temper. Pride and

jealousy there was in his eye, for his life had been spent in asserting

rights which were constantly liable to invasion; and the prompt, fiery,

and resolute disposition of the man, had been kept constantly upon the

alert by the circumstances of his situation. His long yellow hair was

equally divided on the top of his head and upon his brow, and combed

down on each side to the length of his shoulders; it had but little

tendency to grey, although Cedric was approaching to his sixtieth year.

His dress was a tunic of forest green, furred at the throat and cuffs

with what was called minever; a kind of fur inferior in quality to

ermine, and formed, it is believed, of the skin of the grey squirrel.

This doublet hung unbuttoned over a close dress of scarlet which sat

tight to his body; he had breeches of the same, but they did not reach

below the lower part of the thigh, leaving the knee exposed. His

feet had sandals of the same fashion with the peasants, but of finer

materials, and secured in the front with golden clasps. He had bracelets

of gold upon his arms, and a broad collar of the same precious metal

around his neck. About his waist he wore a richly-studded belt, in

which was stuck a short straight two-edged sword, with a sharp point, so

disposed as to hang almost perpendicularly by his side. Behind his seat

was hung a scarlet cloth cloak lined with fur, and a cap of the same

materials richly embroidered, which completed the dress of the opulent

landholder when he chose to go forth. A short boar-spear, with a broad

and bright steel head, also reclined against the back of his chair,

which served him, when he walked abroad, for the purposes of a staff or

of a weapon, as chance might require.

Several domestics, whose dress held various proportions betwixt the

richness of their master's, and the coarse and simple attire of Gurth

the swine-herd, watched the looks and waited the commands of the Saxon

dignitary. Two or three servants of a superior order stood behind their

master upon the dais; the rest occupied the lower part of the hall.

Other attendants there were of a different description; two or three

large and shaggy greyhounds, such as were then employed in hunting the

stag and wolf; as many slow-hounds of a large bony breed, with thick

necks, large heads, and long ears; and one or two of the smaller dogs,

now called terriers, which waited with impatience the arrival of the

supper; but, with the sagacious knowledge of physiognomy peculiar to

their race, forbore to intrude upon the moody silence of their master,

apprehensive probably of a small white truncheon which lay by Cedric's

trencher, for the purpose of repelling the advances of his four-legged

dependants. One grisly old wolf-dog alone, with the liberty of an

indulged favourite, had planted himself close by the chair of state, and

occasionally ventured to solicit notice by putting his large hairy head

upon his master's knee, or pushing his nose into his hand. Even he was

repelled by the stern command, "Down, Balder, down! I am not in the

humour for foolery."